Juan Foyth rewards Mauricio Pochettino’s faith as Spurs remain in top four with win

Juan Foyth’s dramatic introduction to the Premier League continues. Seven days after the centre-back conceded two penalties on his league debut at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 20-year-old secured Tottenham Hotspur’s victory at Selhurst Park with the first goal of his career. The Argentinian headed home in the 65th minute to deliver the win that ensures Mauricio Pochettino’s side will remain in the top four, no matter what the outcome of Arsenal’s home meeting with Wolves on Sunday. Like so many times this season, Spurs were not at their fluent best but they coped easily against a struggling Crystal Palace side who were without the injured Wilfried Zaha and Pochettino will be satisfied with the way his side stuck to their task. And the manager was also entitled to believe fortune was on his side when it came to the match-winner. Foyth had dropped out of the side for the midweek Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven but the failure of Davinson Sanchez to recover from a hamstring injury meant the youngster was restored to the starting line-up. The initial signs were not promising with the defender showing signs of early nerves, a possible hangover from his testing experience at Molineux. An untimely slip in the 15th minute allowed Andros Townsend a clear run into the Spurs penalty area after collecting Mamadou Sakho’s long ball forward and the Palace winger should have done better than fire into the side netting. Foyth, though, grew in confidence the longer the game went on, working well… [Read full story]